Music Ministry Series: Part II (Opening Song)

“Let us build a house where all are named,
Their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed
As words within the Word…”

“All are Welcome,” text by Marty Haugen
©1994, GIA Publications, Inc.

Opening Song
What is the first thing we do each week when we gather for worship? We sing. Whether we call it the Opening Hymn, the Gathering Song, or the Processional, the first song of the liturgy has three main purposes (paraphrased from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, #47):

· To open the celebration and foster our unity as a people worshiping together,
· To begin to awaken us to the themes and images of the liturgy or season, and
· To accompany the presider and ministers as they process into the church.

If we reduce the opening song to that third reason, as simply “traveling music” for the liturgical ministers in procession, we’ve missed the point! Look at the first reason given in the Instruction: we sing so that we may be united in celebration. That is why, even if the choir may sing a prelude prior to the liturgy , the opening song is always a song intended for the entire assembly to sing—and whenever possible, it is something most of know well and can sing out fully and with strength.

If we look a little deeper (and if the music ministers are doing our jobs well!) and listen to the texts we sing in the opening song—in all the songs, really!—we should be able to already have some idea of where the readings and prayers of the day will take us. During Ordinary Time, which we are now journeying through, the songs will most often have themes of gathering and welcome, unity and praise and trust in our loving God. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, the opening songs will often be more subdued, helping quiet our souls into a place of expectant preparation. During Christmas and Easter seasons, these songs will be even more explosively joyful…

As St. Augustine said, “You should sing as wayfarers do—sing, but continue the journey...Sing to make your journey more enjoyable. Sing...but keep on going!”

...next week: Acclamations! (Gloria, Sanctus, and more…)